Strikes disrupt north-east India

Strikes called by three tribal groups have caused significant disruption in the north-east Indian states of Assam and West Bengal.

Officials said schools, banks and businesses were closed in response to the one-day strike call by the Bodos, Karbis and Kamtapuris tribes, who are fighting for separate states.

Train services in some areas were also affected.

The three tribal groups in north eastern India are angry at the central government's decision to create three new states - but overlook their claims.

Demand

Delhi is in the process of reorganising some of India's larger states, including the northern states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Parts of these regions are to be hived off into three new states.

But groups in the north-east said the decision was in keeping with the traditional neglect of the problems of the region by the Indian Government.

They said that they would fight until their demands for separate states were granted.

The Bodo community have called a day long strike in the western Assam districts of Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon.

The All Bodo Students Union and the Bodo Peoples Action Committee have said that the strike has been a success.

In central Assam, another tribal group, the Karbi, called a separate strike demanding regional autonomy.

Police action

Strikes also hit Kamtapur in northern West Bengal.

Kamtapuri tribals called the strike to protest against what they described as police atrocities.

One Kamtapuri supporter was killed and 10 injured last week when police opened fire to disperse a violent Kamtapuri mob near the town of New Alipurduar.

This area is located on a narrow 20km long corridor that connects India's seven north-eastern states with the rest of the country.

Apart from these three groups, the Gurkhas also say they feel cheated by Delhi's decision to create three new states and overlook their demand for one.

Gurkha groups have called for a strike on 22 May to press for their demand for a separate state in the tea-producing Darjeeling region, an area presently under West Bengal.